Air Beam Hug Strap Distributes Attachment Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inflatable air beams are difficult to connect with other structural elements due to their relative weakness and susceptibility to puncture, making it challenging to incorporate them into structures and attach them to footings, anchors, guy wires, and supports.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus featuring an elongate hug strap that securely attaches to a hug strap pad, which is then attached to the air beam, distributing attachment point loading and allowing for secure connections with various attachments like guy wires and cables, using stitching or welding for attachment methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If air beams are directly attached to structural elements, then connection strength is improved, but susceptibility to puncture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a strap as an intermediary component between the air beam and structural elements. The strap wraps around the air beam and distributes attachment forces along a portion of the perimeter, preventing concentrated loads that could cause puncture while maintaining secure connections to guy wires, cables, and other structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system is segmented into distinct components: the strap that contacts the air beam, attachment points for structural elements, and connection hardware. This segmentation allows the strap to bear the brunt of attachment forces while the air beam itself remains relatively unprotected, resolving the contradiction between connection strength and puncture susceptibility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If air beams are attached to multiple structural elements, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The strap is designed as a universal attachment component that can connect air beams to various structural elements including guy wires, cables, anchors, and supports. The standardized strap design with multiple attachment points allows a single component type to serve multiple functions, reducing overall system complexity while enabling connections to multiple structural elements for enhanced stability.
3Strength
If attachment forces are concentrated at single points, then connection strength is improved, but air beam integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system transitions from point-to-point connections to a distributed approach where the strap wraps around the air beam in a circular dimension. This distributes attachment forces from concentrated points along the perimeter, maintaining connection strength while preserving air beam integrity by preventing stress concentration at any single location.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a robust and secure method to connect air beams to other structural elements without compromising the pneumatic integrity, enabling the formation of stable and versatile inflatable structures.
Implementation Method 1
distributing the attachment point loading for air beam structures
Implementation Method 2
the hug strap pad adapted to attach to the air beam by welding
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for connecting an attachment and an air beam comprising a hug strap attached to a hug strap pad, the hug strap adapted to connect with the attachment, and the hug strap pad adapted to attach to the air beam. A method of securing an attachment to an air beam comprising providing an air beam, attaching a hug strap to a hug strap pad, securing the hug strap pad (with the hug strap attached) to the air beam, and securing the attachment to the hug strap.